A Recipe for Success

One of West Ashley High’s promising students and the most recent to be selected as the Student of the Month is junior Christian Allen. When asked how he felt about this achievement Allen said that he was happy because he works hard every day and that he likes that one of the most important aspects of high school is that very need to work hard to succeed.
As a valued member of the West Ashley High School Band, he works with the percussion and drum line. Playing in the band is absolutely Allen’s favorite thing to do during school and in his free time. He says one his favorite parts of being in the band is focusing on the music so he gets it right. Allen has been a part of a school band since he was in middle school at C.E. Williams, and he has been a part of WAHS band for almost three years. Allen enjoys participating in any sort of band competition, especially ones against other schools.
Allen admires his band teacher Kevin Lakin, who teaches essentials that have helped Allen not only in band, but also in his other classes. This may be one of the reasons why Allen actually enjoys having and doing homework, because he says it helps him learn even when he’s not at school.
“Mr. Lakin is my favorite [teacher] because he might be funny, but he’s also smart. He respects me and I listen to him,” says Allen. But Lakin isn’t the only teacher who has made an impression on Allen.
“Christian Allen is a dedicated student who maintains excellent grades in the Exceptional Wildcat program. He is always polite and smiling, and he makes friends wherever he goes. WAHS is a better place because we have such a wonderful student,” says teacher Erica Schuler. “Christian livens up each class that he attends at West Ashley High. He displays a positive attitude, great work ethic, and a helpful spirit,” says Amanda Nettles, another of Allen’s teachers.
When Allen isn’t working hard on band or schoolwork, he likes to listen to music. His favorite song is “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. He also likes to cook in his free time, which is why he’s a part of the WAHS Culinary Arts program. He says cooking is his second favorite activity next to being in band.
When Allen graduates high school, he plans to work in a restaurant. He currently works part time at Kickin’ Chicken, so he has already begun to gain some experience. With his love of cooking, and his current work experience, it seems as though Allen has done a great job of working toward his future goal.